letter – Isaac Hunter to John Erasmus Blackett – 27 Sep 1784

J.E. Blackett Esqr N[ew]Castle 				Dukesfield Sept 27th 1784



Sir

      I have had the moulds or Pig-Pans at the several Mills tried and find that they will all make 12 Stone pieces; those at Rookhope Mill are the least & only just held the quantity: so that when Smelting Poor Ore the Pigs may be short of weight and indeed at all times the Smelters must be attentive that the Pig Pans are always kept level – We keep the Acc[oun]t etc by the Foth[e]r (ie) 16 ps to the Foth[e]r or 22 Cwt if made 12 stone pieces must call 15 ps a Foth[e]r w[hi]ch will gain in the Smelting 2 cwt in every Ton for I do not suppose that they will in the least Grumble at that as the over weight will on an average be equal to it – in the Carriage f[ro]m this Mill to the Bankfoot will loss a stone in every 10 ps as we will be obliged to give the same price for 10 ps that we now give for all for the Common People are too apt to suppose on any change being made that it had been for to get the advantage – the alteration you proposed can not in my opinion be of any detriment to the Works and if you choose that it should be made would advise it to take place at the close of this y[ea]rs Lead Carriage as it will prevent your having Lead sent to Markett <next> Spring f[ro]m the Mills of Different weights

      I find that the Mining Agents are to be in Town on the 20th next Month, when I intended also to have troubled you for 300 or 350 as usual for the Smelters etc to get their Winter Beef with- but my Galloway fell a few days ago with me & bruised & sprained my Ankle so much that I have been obliged to keep my Room ever since & Pearson The Surgeon tells me that it will be 5 or 6 Weeks before I will be able to ride any distance I shall be obliged to you if you’ll let Mr Peart acquaint me the Sum you please to let me have for the above purpose & I shall send with Mr Dickinson a receipt who will take the Trouble to receiveing & bringing up for me

      The quantity of Lead deliv[ere]d this Season is 45,572 p[iece]s



D – 26,761

A –  4,912

R – 13,879 exclusive of the 3 stone L[ea]d f[ro]m Rookhope



      I am	y[ou]rs etc   IH